Get to Know Us

Mission San Luis Rey

The largest of all the 21 California missions, Mission San Luis Rey is home to a community of Franciscan Friars and is open daily to the public in the Franciscan tradition of heritage and hospitality
Home of the Friars (16 currently in residence).
National Landmark – Part of California 4th grade curriculum and a spiritual sanctuary for North County
Focused on Spiritual Development of adults through our retreats and daily noon Mass
Focused on healing the grieving through our cemetery
Involved in homeless outreach

Founded in 1798, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, known as the “King of the Missions,” is a National Historic Landmark.
Facilities include: a Retreat Center with day and overnight programs for spiritual renewal and multi-function meeting spaces; a Cemetery open to all people; Mission Gift Shop; Historic Church; coffee shop; and interpretive Museum.

“When I arrived in Southern California I was homeless. Just a year earlier I had a successful construction business, a marriage and came home every night to my beautiful daughter”, explained Ben. The truth is, I looked down on homeless people. Then, drugs and alcohol took over. I lost my business, my wife, and I was estranged from my daughter. I slept in my car and cleaned up the best I could in the restrooms on Oceanside Beaches. One day, I made my way to the Mission, met a friar and starting spending a little time each day on those peaceful grounds. The peace it brought me led me to get clean and sober. When a construction job came up at the Mission, I was encouraged to try to get hired as part of a crew. That was my new beginning. I was a good worker and eventually reapplied for my General Contractor license. I reestablished communication with my wife and visited with my daughter. Being at the Mission, the compassion and support the friars and staff showed me, helped me to believe in myself again. I have a new understanding and concern for the homeless and hope to do what I can to help those without a home.”

Mission San Luis Rey Parish

A faith community in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Served by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A multi-cultural Parish
Meets the sacramental needs of 4,000 families and welcomes all into God’s inclusive love
Outreach to the Poor
Works toward social justice

A faith community in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Served by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“We came to California when my husband got transferred with the military and joined Mission San Luis Rey Parish back in 1978, explains Marta Werner. We felt so welcomed by the Franciscan community that we became involved in the parish ministry. A year later my husband Ray was sent overseas for a year. I don’t know what I would have done without the support of my parish family. I was alone, working in a very stressful job, with a 5-year old and no immediate family in the area. My parish family stepped in and supported me and my daughter during a period of time when we needed it the most. Now many years later, I am still involved, I continue to call this Franciscan Community “Family” and I will always be grateful!”